Final answer:
To expand the expression (3x^3 - y^3)^2, we need to multiply the expression by itself and then simplify to obtain 9x^6 - 6x^3y^3 + y^6.
Step-by-step explanation:
To expand the expression (3x^3 - y^3)^2, we need to multiply the expression by itself. Using the distributive property, we get (3x^3 - y^3)(3x^3 - y^3). We can then use the FOIL method to expand the expression.
F: Multiply the first terms, (3x^3)(3x^3) = 9x^6
O: Multiply the outer terms, (3x^3)(-y^3) = -3x^3y^3
I: Multiply the inner terms, (-y^3)(3x^3) = -3x^3y^3
L: Multiply the last terms, (-y^3)(-y^3) = y^6
Combining all the terms, we have 9x^6 - 3x^3y^3 - 3x^3y^3 + y^6. Simplifying, we get the final answer as 9x^6 - 6x^3y^3 + y^6.